>More to do in Asheville, NC

>October is over and along with the disappearing leaves, the tourists have fallen off as well. It’s a shame really as winter in Asheville offers quite a bit to do. But I am not complaining as it means that I will now have time to go to some of the wonderful restaurants here and see some of the sites myself.

In two weeks, our furniture shipment will arrive. We bought the Carolina Bed & Breakfast as a “turnkey” operation but have always intended to use much of our furniture and art-work to augment that which is already here. So we will be closing the inn for a week while we unroll oriental carpets, hang paintings and move furniture. This means that James will need to take me out to dinner as who’s cooking while doing all that work? I have a little list of things I would like to see and do and I will be reviewing them for you here during the next month (husband willing!).

Number one on my list is to visit the Biltmore Estate at night. In November and December the Biltmore has “Candlelight Evenings”. Multiple Christmas trees and lights decorate the house and ground and, I am told, the staff dress as Victorian villagers to add color. I visited the Biltmore about seven years ago and it is time for an update. What better time to do it? Especially if I can finagle a dinner there as well!

Also in the Biltmore Village is the Corner Kitchen. It is a favorite restaurant of both locals and visitors. Again, I managed lunch there once a number of years ago but would love to try dinner.

Thai Basil calls to me with it’s cuisine from “home” (remember I lived in Singapore for 11 years?). And the Mellow Mushroom tempts me just because of its name and the colorful building it is in.

Actually there is a long list of restaurants here which are reported to be exceptional and, luckily, I can call my meals research for our guests.

And, if we get the house finished and feel a need to walk off all of these wonderful meals, I am told that the Blue Ridge Mountains provide even better views when the leaves are out of your way!

And maybe we can go to some art-galleries or antiquing!

For now, this is all wishful thinking but watch this space to see what happens.